Atlas Week Approaches, More Than 100 Events Scheduled

03/23/2018

Saint Louis University will host the eighteenth Annual Sam and Marilyn Fox Atlas Week Program Friday, April 6 to Saturday, April 14.  Events and activities held throughout the week are free and open to the St. Louis community. The theme for Atlas Week is “From Broken Walls, We Build Bridges:  Out of Conflict Rises Community.”

The Atlas Program is designed to recognize the international dimensions of Saint Louis University’s academic programs and to celebrate SLU’s role in international education and service in light of the University’s Jesuit tradition.  One of the main goals of the Atlas Program is to increase awareness of the global issues that confront the world today in an effort not only to promote discussion, but also to inform and inspire action.  It focuses on what each individual as a global citizen can do to contribute to a better life for all people now and in the future.

More than 100 events scheduled for the week.  These events highlight what SLU faculty, staff and students are doing around the globe and in our own local community to address contemporary injustices.  As SLU celebrates its Bicentennial Year, it is also a time to celebrate our own. 

KEY EVENTS 

• Monday, April 9, noon to 1 p.m., “Saint Louis University and Belize 2020:  Reflections on a Growing Partnership,”  Center for Global Citizenship Auditorium .
• Wednesday, April 11, 8 to 9 a.m., “Repairing Broken Walls and Building Bridges in Vanga Democratic Republic of the Congo,” Danis Auditorium, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital.
• Wednesday, April 11, 7 to 9 p.m., Film:  Men in the Arena,  “Saadiq Mohammed's Inspiring Journey to Becoming a Billiken,” Kelley Auditorium.
• Thursday, April 12, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., “Breaking the Pipeline and Building Literacy:  The Legacy of Dr. Norman White,” Sinquefield Stateroom, DuBourg Hall .

An interfaith prayer service opens the week at 5 p.m. on Monday, April 9, at St. Francis Xavier College Church. 

A special highlight is the Signature Symposium at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 12, in the Wool Ballroom in Busch Student Center.  Fred Ochieng’, M.D., and Milton Ochieng’, M.D., will deliver the Atlas Keynote Address, “Sons of Lwala:  Honoring the Dreams of Our Parents.”  The two are brothers and co-founders of Lwala Community Alliance.  Lwala Community Alliance is now the largest provider of health services in Western Kenya, serving a population of more than 30,000 people.  

A private reception is planned with the Ochiengs' after the symposium. RSVPs for the reception are due on Friday, April 6.

The weeklong celebration culminates on Friday, April 13, with the Billiken World Festival at the Center for Global Citizenship.  The event kicks off with the Parade of Nations at 10:45 a.m., and features live cultural music and dance, academic and informational booths, and international cuisine.

To learn more about Saint Louis University’s Atlas Program and view a full calendar of events, please visit http://atlas.slu.edu or contact Michelle Lorenzini at michelle.lorenzini@slu.edu. 

For media coverage or to schedule interviews, contact Jeanette Grider in University Communications at 314-977-2538.